In His Word, God gives signs how we can make sure we get it right….that we get on the right path. They are signs to warn us and to guide us, to lead us safely to our final destination.
Sign #1: Wrong Way
Romans 3:10-11
as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. (ESV)
“No one seeks after God”? A bitter word huh? A lot of people I know hesitate to call themselves a sinner, but I know of no one who would say they are perfect. “Sinner” is not a word God uses as condemnation, but of caution. Think about it for a moment. Meditate on those words. He says, no one seeks after God. But, Matthew says, Jesus came to seek and to save….” In other words, it is God who seeks us because, without Him, we are simply going the wrong way.
Sign #2: Heavy Traffic
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned-- (ESV)
I am intrigued by the word “all.” It means all! Every single one. Every person has inherited Adam’s sinful nature. Because of sin, we all stand condemned unless we look to the one solution, Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sin.
Sign #3: Caution
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (ESV)
Sin is anything that displeases God. Sin is anything that misses the mark of perfection in what we say, think or do. Because sin is so real in our lives, God cautions or warns us that it is in fact our sin, that causes us to fall short of pleasing Him and therefore separates us from God. Without the forgiveness of sin there can be no salvation for anyone.
Sign #4: Detour
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
God is desperate to warn us because the eternal consequence of sin. The wages of sin is death, but the detour God provides is eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Millions of people will go to hell unless they take the detour - believe, accept and embrace the free gift of eternal life provided through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who paid for all our sins.
Sign #5: Yield
God loves you more than you can ever imagine. He just wants you to hit the breaks, slow down and meditate on this thought:
Romans 5:8
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 ESV)
What do you think about that? While you and I are in the very act of sinning against him, he loves us and makes abundant life available to us through His Son.
Sign #6: Merge
Romans 10:9-10
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (ESV)
Admit you are a sinner and that you have a need forgiveness found only in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Believe in your heart by totalling trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and you will be saved.
Sign #7: Exit
The only way you can exit the wide path – a lifestyle that leads to death and destruction is to trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:13
"everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (ESV)
If you have followed God's signs and have decided you need to slow down and exit the “way” that leads to a life without Chris, take the narrow path. Pray to receive Christ as your Saviour today: Admit you are a sinner. Believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead; Confess Him as Lord!
Commit your work to the Lord and your ways will be established! (Proverbs 16:3)
(If this blog has influenced your decision to follow Christ, please share your story with me. You can email me at pastorbrianlambert@gmail.com)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
The Narrow Way
Thursday night, Jacob (my 7 year old son) and I were driving home from his baseball practice and we saw a police car. He then told me a story about a cartoon or a T.V. show he saw a few days before and how a character on the show was running from the cops! As a dad, a few red flags went up about what this show might be teaching my kids. Then I said, “Jacob, you know it’s never good to run from the cops, right?” He chuckled and said, with exaggeration, “yes.” I asked, “What happens if you run from the cops?” I loved the way he answered. He said, “it’s never good, you either go to jail or you die!”
Lesson: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25, ESV)
For the past few months I have been preaching a message series called, The Lifestyle of a Disciple, from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Sunday, the message was from Matthew 7:13-14. This is where Jesus is teaching in regard to the Pharisees,
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (ESV)
What Jesus is saying, is essentially the same message Solomon wrote in Proverbs. The Pharisees were not in opposition to religion. In fact, they were some of the most religious people of the day. They loved their religion and believed they were on the right path. However, they were on the wide, six-lane religious freeway, on cruise control. But when they were warned to slow down and exit their “old ways” of worship, they stepped on the accelerator and ran! They fled from the Truth, disregarded the signs and missed the turn. The Pharisees stayed on the road that led to their demise and ultimately their death.
Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:13-14 was……"there is a way that seems right." It is a religious way, but it’s not the right way. It is a good way, but it is not God’s way. The road of religion is a broad and easy road to travel. It is a “wide gate” that will lead to your death.
Today, ask yourself these questions: What road am I on? Am I going the right “way?”
Jesus said in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Lesson: Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven
Trust in Him today!
(To find out how you can begin a relationship with Christ today, please read my blog posting, "Seven Signs that Lead to Life in Christ")
Lesson: There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25, ESV)
For the past few months I have been preaching a message series called, The Lifestyle of a Disciple, from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. Sunday, the message was from Matthew 7:13-14. This is where Jesus is teaching in regard to the Pharisees,
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (ESV)
What Jesus is saying, is essentially the same message Solomon wrote in Proverbs. The Pharisees were not in opposition to religion. In fact, they were some of the most religious people of the day. They loved their religion and believed they were on the right path. However, they were on the wide, six-lane religious freeway, on cruise control. But when they were warned to slow down and exit their “old ways” of worship, they stepped on the accelerator and ran! They fled from the Truth, disregarded the signs and missed the turn. The Pharisees stayed on the road that led to their demise and ultimately their death.
Jesus’ message in Matthew 7:13-14 was……"there is a way that seems right." It is a religious way, but it’s not the right way. It is a good way, but it is not God’s way. The road of religion is a broad and easy road to travel. It is a “wide gate” that will lead to your death.
Today, ask yourself these questions: What road am I on? Am I going the right “way?”
Jesus said in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Lesson: Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven
Trust in Him today!
(To find out how you can begin a relationship with Christ today, please read my blog posting, "Seven Signs that Lead to Life in Christ")
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Struggling?
Are you struggling with your past? Are you wondering if God cares about you or if He can use you after all the “bad” things you have done? Maybe this will help....
If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel of HONORABLE use, SET APART for what is HOLY, USEFUL to the MASTER of the house, ready for EVERY GOOD WORK! So….Flee youthful passions!(II Timothy 2:21-23)
Hope this helps. God has a plan for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel of HONORABLE use, SET APART for what is HOLY, USEFUL to the MASTER of the house, ready for EVERY GOOD WORK! So….Flee youthful passions!(II Timothy 2:21-23)
Hope this helps. God has a plan for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Set the Spirit Free
Last Sunday morning was as normal as any Sunday worship service. There was excitement, there was energy, and there was anticipation. We finished the message and during the response time, a member told me that God had given her "a word." She had written down what she felt God had spoken to her and asked me to pray about whether she could share it or not.
I must admit, when she asked if she could share it, I was a bit nervous….more than reluctant. I wanted to say no.
Against my will and out of my comfort zone, I gave her the freedom to speak. She did. It was no big deal, at least for most. After the service, a woman approached her and said, “That word was just for me.” I don’t know all the circumstances, but I do know when we yield to the Spirit of God, He speaks and works in spontaneous and mysterious ways!
When we allow the Holy Spirit to move freely, we will see mighty works of God in our churches. Pastor, give up control and set the Spirit free!
I must admit, when she asked if she could share it, I was a bit nervous….more than reluctant. I wanted to say no.
Against my will and out of my comfort zone, I gave her the freedom to speak. She did. It was no big deal, at least for most. After the service, a woman approached her and said, “That word was just for me.” I don’t know all the circumstances, but I do know when we yield to the Spirit of God, He speaks and works in spontaneous and mysterious ways!
When we allow the Holy Spirit to move freely, we will see mighty works of God in our churches. Pastor, give up control and set the Spirit free!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Six Practices to Help Overcome a Judgmental & Critical Spirit
Criticism is part of life. As a leader, it comes with the territory. We may be the target of criticism and condemnation, but the fact is, we're all guilty of being judgmental...well, at least I am. It's a well-known fact that Christians are perceived to be some of the most critical, judgmental people in the world.
In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus teaches a lesson on criticism. The beliefs of the Scribes and Pharisees had set the pace for the "religious" and it's against the backdrop of their practices that Jesus says, "Judge not that you be not judged."
Jesus’ desire for us as his followers is that we will love others...even those who are our greatest critics.
Six Practices to Help you overcome a critical and judgmental spirit:
1. Study God’s Word:
Scripture is the key to changing hearts and attitudes toward other people
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-1 NKJ)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12 NKJ)
2. Serve and minister to others:
I believe when we judge and criticize others it’s because we are desperately trying to justify our own flaws and insecurities. Get outside yourself! Jesus modeled it.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phi 2:4 ESV)
3. Build relationships
Get to know people. Ask questions. Listen to their stories.
Strong, healthy relationships don’t just happen. Intentionality and transparency are the secrets to meaningful relationships.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (Eccl. 4:9)
4. Pray
Ask God to change your heart, attitude and reactions toward other people.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (Jam 5:16 NKJ)
5. Model love, care & encouragement for your children
If your kids are like mine, they will hold you to a high level of accountability. Remember, more is caught than taught. Kids are products of their environment. If you want to raise kids who are loving, caring and encouraging, model it!
…bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4 KJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Pro 22:6 KJV)
6. Look for the good in others
We look for the good in others, because we want others to see the good in us.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Luk 6:31 NLT)
Here’s the key: Desire a heart like HIS!
What else matters…..really?
In Matthew 7:1-5, Jesus teaches a lesson on criticism. The beliefs of the Scribes and Pharisees had set the pace for the "religious" and it's against the backdrop of their practices that Jesus says, "Judge not that you be not judged."
Jesus’ desire for us as his followers is that we will love others...even those who are our greatest critics.
Six Practices to Help you overcome a critical and judgmental spirit:
1. Study God’s Word:
Scripture is the key to changing hearts and attitudes toward other people
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2Ti 3:16-1 NKJ)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12 NKJ)
2. Serve and minister to others:
I believe when we judge and criticize others it’s because we are desperately trying to justify our own flaws and insecurities. Get outside yourself! Jesus modeled it.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Phi 2:4 ESV)
3. Build relationships
Get to know people. Ask questions. Listen to their stories.
Strong, healthy relationships don’t just happen. Intentionality and transparency are the secrets to meaningful relationships.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. (Eccl. 4:9)
4. Pray
Ask God to change your heart, attitude and reactions toward other people.
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (Jam 5:16 NKJ)
5. Model love, care & encouragement for your children
If your kids are like mine, they will hold you to a high level of accountability. Remember, more is caught than taught. Kids are products of their environment. If you want to raise kids who are loving, caring and encouraging, model it!
…bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph 6:4 KJV)
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Pro 22:6 KJV)
6. Look for the good in others
We look for the good in others, because we want others to see the good in us.
Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Luk 6:31 NLT)
Here’s the key: Desire a heart like HIS!
What else matters…..really?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Fasting Notes
I talked about Fasting this morning as we get ready to kickoff Awakening 2011. We are joining churches all over the nation for this unbelievable time of Prayer, Fasting, and Personal Devotion to God.
Below are some of my notes from Sunday's Message:
I want to answer 5 questions:
1. What is Fasting?
2. Why Should We Fast?
3. What Does Fasting Do?
4. Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
5. Why is it Important for the Body of Christ to Fast Together?
What is Fasting?
• Going without food for a specified amount of time in order to pray
• It’s pursuing God to fill a spiritual hunger rather than eating food to fill a
physical hunger
Why Should We Fast?
• Fasting Recaptures our Heart for God
• Fasting Expresses our Passion to know God more
What Does Fasting Do?
• Fasting Exposes the Heart
• Fasting Expresses our Hunger for God
• Fasting makes our heart tender toward God
WHAT FASTING DOESN’T DO
• Fasting does not motivate God to love you.
• Fasting doesn’t make God enjoy you any more.
• Fasting isn’t a “get rich quick” plan to holiness.
• We don’t fast so that God will forgive us.
• Fasting is not a substitute for obedience.
Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
• God Rewards It
• It Deepens the Reality of God's Presence in our Lives
Why is it important for us to fast together……As a church body1.
• That our focus would be solely on God
• That we would present pure hearts to God
• That our lives would be a Testimony for God
• That our church would walk as one (in unity) before God
• That we would have the power and anointing of God
I hope these notes help. I'm looking forward to us growing together as we pray and fast together over the next 21 days!
Below are some of my notes from Sunday's Message:
I want to answer 5 questions:
1. What is Fasting?
2. Why Should We Fast?
3. What Does Fasting Do?
4. Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
5. Why is it Important for the Body of Christ to Fast Together?
What is Fasting?
• Going without food for a specified amount of time in order to pray
• It’s pursuing God to fill a spiritual hunger rather than eating food to fill a
physical hunger
Why Should We Fast?
• Fasting Recaptures our Heart for God
• Fasting Expresses our Passion to know God more
What Does Fasting Do?
• Fasting Exposes the Heart
• Fasting Expresses our Hunger for God
• Fasting makes our heart tender toward God
WHAT FASTING DOESN’T DO
• Fasting does not motivate God to love you.
• Fasting doesn’t make God enjoy you any more.
• Fasting isn’t a “get rich quick” plan to holiness.
• We don’t fast so that God will forgive us.
• Fasting is not a substitute for obedience.
Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
• God Rewards It
• It Deepens the Reality of God's Presence in our Lives
Why is it important for us to fast together……As a church body1.
• That our focus would be solely on God
• That we would present pure hearts to God
• That our lives would be a Testimony for God
• That our church would walk as one (in unity) before God
• That we would have the power and anointing of God
I hope these notes help. I'm looking forward to us growing together as we pray and fast together over the next 21 days!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Awakening 2011
Awakening 2011 is here! This Monday, January 10th we will be joining with hundreds of churches for 21 days of Prayer, Fasting and Personal Devotion to God. This is an opportunity for us to give the first portion of our year to God in a deep way, maybe deeper than ever.
Sunday, my message will answer 5 questions:
1. What is Fasting?
2. Why Should We Fast?
3. What Does Fasting Do?
4. Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
5. Why is it Important for the Body of Christ to Fast Together?
Then, Monday, January 10th at 7pm, we will meet together for a time of prayer, seeking him together.
I believe 2011 will be a breakout year for Clearpoint Church. I can only imagine what God will do when His people get desperate for Him! If Prayer and Fasting does nothing else, it communicates to God that His people are hungry for Him!
So join us Sunday at 10am and Monday at 7pm as we kickoff Awakening 2011!
Sunday, my message will answer 5 questions:
1. What is Fasting?
2. Why Should We Fast?
3. What Does Fasting Do?
4. Why is Fasting Important in the Life of a Believer?
5. Why is it Important for the Body of Christ to Fast Together?
Then, Monday, January 10th at 7pm, we will meet together for a time of prayer, seeking him together.
I believe 2011 will be a breakout year for Clearpoint Church. I can only imagine what God will do when His people get desperate for Him! If Prayer and Fasting does nothing else, it communicates to God that His people are hungry for Him!
So join us Sunday at 10am and Monday at 7pm as we kickoff Awakening 2011!
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